How Use Of Topamax Can Affect The Individual With Epilepsy
Thursday, August 11th, 2011
Epilepsy is a group of disorders found in 125,000 Americans every year. It is characterized by seizures or tics due to the abnormal electrical activities in the brain. The primary cause of seizures has got to do with brain-related injuries such as low oxygen at birth, brain tumors and etc. Medication treatment is of great importance but some, such as Topamax is required to have FDA warnings and labels to its product with its connection to the development of Glaucoma and Acute Myopia among other things. As previously said, epilepsy is a group of disorders characterized by seizures and they have different types. Whatever type of seizure disorder the individual has, the inconvenience and disruption to the patient’s normal functions cannot be neglected. People suffering from epilepsy or seizure disorders, as well as their families, need to know how to manage the condition especially in times of attack.
During a Seizure Attack
Safety is a priority on the onset of seizures. During a seizure attack, one must make sure that the area is secure. Remove anything that might compromise the airway like constrictive clothing. Do not try to restrain or forcibly put anything into the mouth for you may injure the person. After the episode, place the patient in a recovering position (side-lying) to make sure that the secretions won’t enter the airways which could cause choking. Confusion is usually evident after the attack, so do not leave the patient alone for a period of time. In most cases, it is best encouraged to call for an ambulance or a medical practitioner to aid in dealing with the seizure episode.
How to Manage Epilepsy?
Drug Therapy
When dealing with epilepsy, antiepileptic medications are essential. The goal of the therapy is to rid of the attacks while having less unwanted side effects as much as possible. Topiramate under brand name Topamax is known to be a preventive medication for seizures. It can be combined with other seizure medications for full efficacy. It was however given a classification of Category D by the FDA after it was connected with the development of birth anomalies. Some studies also showed the connection between the drug and the formation of glaucoma as well as development of acute myopia. Each person is different from the other so response to treatment may differ. The therapy should be discussed with your doctor so you’ll be given options and you can decide altogether for the best plan as you will be evaluated according to a lot of things.
Lifestyle Changes
Drug therapy is also accompanied with behavioural changes as some activities can cause the attack like stress, not enough sleep and the use of prohibited drugs and alcohol. One is encouraged to keep a diary of the attacks and take note of important information such as the date, time, the triggering factor and other details that you deem necessary for the treatment plan.
Certain types of seizures may be gone even without drug therapy and others like those with childhood epilepsy can grow up to be normal adults but some sufferers unfortunately felt more pain by having complications like those of Topamax side effects. This condition may be chronic requiring the commitment and cooperation from the sufferers to their treatment plan.
